Building a Telescope Rig to PHOTOGRAPH GALAXIES

[@MillerDoesIt]

I can't speak for everyone but the reason I started following your channel (and eventually got into astrophotography myself) was because you didn't edit out your struggles, frustrations and iterations. It's what makes your channel incredibly educational. A lot of channels exist out there which show the ways things work when everything well.

[@thelordofcubing]

I've never seen Trevor this excited. It's like Christmas morning 😂

[@TheBelrick]

I saw a guy use a similar setup... you can see a line that is the usb camera leading away from the camera lol

[@BackyardObservatory]

"What are you doing down here?" Epic

[@TheBelrick]

I dont get his advice. The best deep space amateur photography ive seen were on large dobsonian mounts . the battle of exposure time vs. aperture is my guess? that a 14" doing a 30sec (max?) exposure is better than a 132mmm doing 10min ? well i dont know.

[@BackyardObservatory]

​@@TheBelrick The best images being from Dobs is a bit odd as Dobs are the worst for AP, short of handheld. The best to worst for AP is usually EQ, Alt/Az, Dob, handheld. Granted a Dob mount is an Alt/Az mount, but they require one track the target by hand. Not easy to do when imaging, even for the most experienced among us. With all other factors being equal, larger aperture wins every time as it gathers more photons per second vs smaller apertures. This means dimmer objects or more detail for the same period of time, or shorter exposure time for the same amount of data. The shorter exposure time has a distinct advantage of having less images ruined by jets/satellites/clouds/etc..

[@KnowledgePerformance7]

@@TheBelrick seems odd to comment that on this comment but whatever. Idk where you are getting your images because every amazing photo I have ever seen has been a German mount. Dobs are less accurate for high zoom tracking and suffer from sky rotation

[@TheBelrick]

@@KnowledgePerformance7 but the cure for lack of rotation is to take SHORTER exposures. as i said. Anyway, watch clips on dob deepsky photos or not. They are breath taking IMHO but you may not care.

[@TheBelrick]

@@BackyardObservatory if you dont take long exposures then tracking isnt an issue.... tracking is a way to compensate for limited exposure. i think of it as large "eyes" capturing large amounts of light in a short time vs. small "eyes" capturing large amounts of light over a LONG amount of time. 30sec exposure vs. 10min. 400mm squared vs. 132mm. squared 10min exposure is 20 times longer than the absolute most a dob can do but a 16"dob captures 9x the light than a 132mm refractor does. and costs the same. anyway, just thoughts from a fan not actually arguing

[@kentswenson2480]

Dude! Backward hat, basement techno rave! Never too old 🤙

[@PixelFighterKing]

never let haters tell you what to do. they are just envious of your personal freedom. backwards hats squad represent. thank you for all of your efforts and information regarding astrophotograpy and gear reviews. you are very impressive.

[@pathdoc]

The Hyperstar doesn't really "convert" the scope from f/10 to f/1.9, it just uses the prime focus which is at f/1.9 instead of the secondary f/10 focus. The lenses are for correction.

[@SterrenKijkenInDeStad]

Bill Woodward was about to add that comment as well. I thought it was common knowledge most of these type of scopes (Maks also) have very fast main mirrors, basically shaving mirrors. They are often even spherical, which explains the many lenses in the hyperstar to cure spherical aberrations.

[@dgdave2673]

- so you have to use a $1200 Starizona to get back to F2 ? 😮😂😂 That thing is ridiculously priced. Get a dedicated Rasa instead.

[@dgdave2673]

- so you have to use a $1200 Starizona to get back to F2 ? 😮😂😂 That thing is ridiculously priced. Get a dedicated Rasa instead.

[@dericcaselli3927]

Welcome to the mavelous world of the SCT telescopes, they are very versatile and will do so many things well.

[@markcaplan]

As an Englishman I would say a baseball cap should only be worn forwards and only when playing baseball. Absolutely love the videos by the way. Amazing work.

[@dontbugme8]

Im glad that drop wasn't the secondary!

[@michal_king478]

yeah I would be so scared id drop the secondary. Good thing the secondary isnt terribly expensive Im guessing since its just a small parabolic mirror (thats bulged outwards instead of inwards ofcourse)

[@TexasTimelapse]

The most breathtaking views of Saturn I've ever seen were through a 14" SCT. Absolutely amazing!

[@latouselatrec]

What the f*** is going on there isn't been no pictures of Saturn on here

[@RaysAstrophotography]

My kind of stuff! You did pretty well for the first encounter with those giant scopes!

[@أفلاكالأفكار]

Those Celestron Edges are fantastic for planetary imaging as well. Damien Peach uses a C14 and the results speak for themselves

[@dutchwhitey1138]

I am 50 and i also have my cap backwards. so keep it like you like it. :D

[@AstroBackyard]

Will do

[@chattywalrus8485]

Don't worry, Trevor, you're like Saturn: you look gorgeous any way you wear your hat! Happy New Year!

[@DennisCarmody]

I’ve been using a C925 at f/10, f/6.3 w a reducer, and f/2.3 w Hyperstar. The challenge definitely goes up exponentially at higher focal lengths. I love that I can use the same telescope for f/30 planetary and massive nebula at f/2.3.

[@cwminer8235]

I'm excited about the Starizona night owl HD. It's supposed to bring the scope down to F/4 without having to buy an expensive hyperstar and without having to remove your secondary mirror. Should make the Edge great for wide field nebula stuff as well as long focal length planetary/lunar/galaxy stuff. Any chance you could do a review if/when the reducer officially comes out since you do more wide field stuff?

[@radicalrenegade8528]

cwminer 82 Good comment. I didn’t know about the night owl. Just looked it up. Seems good but has limitations. I’ll have to research it.

[@cwminer8235]

@@radicalrenegade8528 Yeah, I believe that the camera sensor has a limit of 16mm which from what I have read is basically the asi183. The guy on cloudy nights that is testing it seemed pretty impressed with the prototype unit and he said that the production units would have a 20% improvement, so I'm hoping for the best. If it does end up doing what it says, it kind of turns a regular non hyper starred Edge into a jack of all trades scope with a pretty nice apperature size, or at least it sounds that way. I was seriously considering getting an apo refractor for wide field stuff but may not have to now. Fingers crossed it works as advertised.

[@radicalrenegade8528]

@@cwminer8235 I thought I read somewhere on the description that it was not for Edge scopes? Maybe I'm wrong though. We'll see.

[@cwminer8235]

@@radicalrenegade8528 The ones available now are not available for Edge scopes. The HD version is rumored to be coming out Q1 2020 and it is specifically for the Edge.

[@radicalrenegade8528]

@@cwminer8235 Cool. Thanks for the info!!!

[@DurkoppFordertechnic]

I wish I had watched this a few years back, as a newby I went straight into using a celestron 8" HD. I found out quickly that everything had to be so precise. Right down to getting the weights in exactly the right place. The NEQ6 skywatcher mount wasn't accurate enough either. Conversion to belt drive on it helped my guiding headache. Lots of imaging sessions produced disappointing results, but getting results now when the weather allows in the UK.

[@cags330]

I made a similar error recently, Vince. I bought an 8" SCT for photography as much as imaging. Working through the headaches at the moment . . .

[@sneakerset]

@@cags330 I bought a C8 for $150. The seller was a homeless tweeker camped out in a park in No. Hollywood. The instrument was in wretched condition - it had survived a roof collapse (house fire). Fortunately, the rebuild was a success. I added a 2-speed focuser, a carrying handle, dual Losmandy rails, and a 6.3 reducer (Antares). It has quirks, but has served me well for both the lightside (solar/terrestrial)...and darkside (DSO/planetary).

[@misterwizz5690]

I'm pleased you mentioned the backward cap, no problem! Just get someone real strong to snap your head a full 180 degrees, hey presto the cap will now be facing the correct intended direction!

[@jamieamendolagine205]

I've got an EdgeHD8, and am quite happy with it, but it is difficult to work with the F10 focal ratio. I do have a reducer that brings it down to F7 which is easier when imaging bigger targets. I've also been using an OAG for guiding. It can be a challenge to get a guide star sometimes, but it's my understanding that it is much better for SCT's with high F ratio. Here's some tips with using an SCT: Don't forget to tighten the mirror locks when ready to image, and don't forget to loosen them when done. That big plate of glass fogs up pretty easily, so you may need a heater. Get bobs knobs, or something similar so that you can collimate without sticking a pointy screw driver close to the glass.

[@johnnycampbell]

Looking forward to following you on your SCT - AP journey! Galaxy season should be a blast. Clear skies to you!

[@DavidAlanReece]

The reason the front camera orientation yields a brighter (lower F-stop) is that you stop the light's path 2/3's of the way to the rear eyepiece. As you know, the light enters the telescope and has to make three separate trips to reach the rear eyepiece. Light enters the front, then reflects off the back, then focuses (reflects again) off the smaller front element, then hits the rear. The Hyper Star is stopping the last path of light (basically taking off 33% of the total path). Since light follows the inverse square law, you theoretically might get close to 50-60% more light by stopping it midway. Additionally, they are probably employing the same technique used in photography to concentrate the light (like a metabones adapter for a digital camera), so that you get even more light since it is concentrated onto the sensor by the optics in the Hyper Star. I am old physics major, so I might have missed a few points, but in a nutshell, that explains the increased light.

[@christophercirrincione4320]

Great video and you're never too old to wear a cap backward!

[@rawzen5140]

i love how easy it is to see how much effort you put into this video, and all your videos. nice job as usual Trevor.

[@chuckaustin2406]

Trevor, I just re-watched this video since I'm looking at setting up a similar rig. 9.25" instead of 11" and not as heavy of a tripod, but still really close. Just need to drive down to Tuscon from Phoenix talk with Starizona. And to answer your question, no, you aren't to old to wear your cap backwards. I still do when I'm at the range and did last night so my headlamp wouldn't ne bothered with the hat bill. I'm 69 years old and not too old to wear a hat backward. You're fine. Cheers!!

[@AstroBackyard]

Hey guys! I know a lot of you use the Celestron EdgeHD (8, 9.25, 11) for astrophotography - PLEASE give me some tips for shooting with this scope. Is the ASI533 a good fit? Or should I try it with my DSLR? Thank you!

[@AVAstronomy]

AstroBackyard I think you said it best in you r video. One of the struggles you may face with those smaller pixels is guiding accuracy. I’d go with the largest pixel camera you have which if I’m not mistaken would be your Canon EOS Ra at 5.36 micron. Looking forward to seeing your results on this. Good luck to you!

[@AbhineetKelley]

Nice

[@dekemp1986]

You could try binning one of your dedicated cameras to get a better fitting image scale

[@luboinchina3013]

Proper spacing (distance to the sensor), off axis guiding and focus is the key. Starizona also makes focal reducers for them. At F7 it will make it it shorter and faster so you can keep using the same imaging camera, also at 2800 mm you will often struggle to get full galaxy to one frame. I would definitely start with starizona 0.7 reducer.

[@rob8522]

Think you have the 294, larger pixelsize. Also Canon's pixels are larger.

[@Chris_LSZO]

I use the C14 and yes it is very flexible. Hyperstar, f7 with reducer or the full focal length depends of what you want to do. I love this flexible concept very much, it's a 3 in 1 telescope.

[@edmondbeaudoin305]

So when you add the camera to the hyperstar, do you have wire(s) hanging down, or do you use a camera with wifi or bluetooth? Thanks.

[@jeffdunehew]

Note - when you pull out the secondary mirror, the bottom piece of the hyperstar can hold it. Double check me to make sure you aren't damaging it, but I believe I remember seeing them do that back in teh day when I first bought mine.

[@yellowlynx]

I have similar approach. EQ6+FLT98, all rounded purpose. ED80/F6 or WO71 plus a iOptron CEM25 for more wide field C11 plus iOptron CEM60 like yours. They are all on my roof top. All I need to do is to hook up my computer, the power and put the OTA on the mount, of course the mounts are already fine tuned in balancing and polar alignment.

[@gapteckspace]

Hi, it is possible to do deep sky without hyperstar?

[@StargazerFS128]

Good luck with the weather Trevor, I'm in southern Ontario also, grey grey grey skies, cant wait to see the results.

[@tanin34]

As a matter of fact I am brand new to astrophotography! Just got my first telescope and was able to take a picture of the moon with my phone camera up to the lens. Needless to say it wasn't the greatest, but it was my first!

[@CVObservatory]

Can't wait!! I have been looking at the Edge telescopes for a while.

[@materialdialectics]

You're never too old Trevor, never.

[@lancewilliams8732]

This is setup is not for the faint hearted, and certainly not a beginner. F/1.9 shots in wide field, works straight away, 5 seconds of exposure, and you have something that would take an hour otherwise, and no guiding or tracking, it is that fast! Planetary, superb at F/10 - matched with a high speed USB3 small pixel camera, and the results are incredible Add the .7 reducer, here comes the galaxy hunting, but wow, this thing is a beast, you best have damn good tracking Where it DOES fall down, is swapping between the seconday and hyperstar, in a BIG way. It is a beast to collimate in F/10, with Hyperstar, at F/1.9, wow, you will be turning this way, and that, for quite sometime. You will need one hell of a mount, that CGX-L I would consider the minimum.

[@davidburchettephotography6513]

Can’t wait to see what you get with this setup in the different configurations. Clear skies!

[@johnadastra1754]

With regard to pixel size, monochrome cameras have the advantage of binning. When going to longer focal length setups, a 2x2 or 3x3 binning will change your arcsec/pixel ratio to a more favorable one without having to change or buy cameras. Most color cams go to monochrome when binning, so then are no longer color.

[@TPQ1235]

Finally, you are using an SCT. I have loved all your wide field work and especially your perspectives on setups, products, and processes. As someone who has been using a Meade 2120 for over 30 years I am looking forward to a Trevor SCT series!

[@AstroBackyard]

Thank you - I am really excited to shoot smaller targets!

[@michaell1473]

Can't wait to see what you do with this! I've got a RASA 8 and it's great for wide field. I have been considering getting an Edge HD 8 or 9.5 and swapping out the OTA based off the target, specifically for galaxies and small nebula. I know that whole point of the Hyperstar is that you can do both but it is also almost the price of an 8in Edge HD itself.

[@m97429]

I have a CEM120 Meade 12" F8 (2438mm) that I use with my Sbig STT3200me/ FW8G /Starchaser SC2 /A0-8a for hunting galaxies. Great setup, I think adding a A0 device at long focal lengths is a great help. Depending on your guide star these things can run at 4-12 Hz, in other words make corrections 4 to 12 times a second!

[@stew_redman]

Trevor, you have earned the right to wear a cap backwards. Keep up the inspiring work.

[@iandobbin8068]

Great timing, my hyperstar arrived today, partnered with the edgehd 8" I am looking forward to your journey. Unfortunately smoke is having huge effect here in Australia, but still going to have a go ! Clear skies !

[@andrecarvalho6460]

I bought the orion skyquest xx14i. I'm looking forward for him to arrive

[@devinespinoza9213]

That setup is stupidly beautiful 🤩

[@ernie5229]

Amazing! I haven't done astrophotography since the film days. Sooo much has changed. We had a prime focus reflector camera. You had to load each frame of the film by hand inside a dark bag. Exposure was controlled by opening and closing the corrector cap. With such a short focal length you have to mount the film in a curved bracket to compensate for the curved depth of field. A good long evening would yield a few acceptable shots. But you didn't find that out until after you developed the film (by yoursef) then sent it out to be printed. Still, I wouldn't change the opportunity for anything!

[@vinceveltri7732]

Trevor, I hope you fall madly in love with this SCT. With the Celestron CPC 1100 the size and weight were a very cautious concern - until I built an observatory and the scope is stationary. I'm looking forward to your experiments and reviews on this.

[@bernardday1]

Just built a new observatory at my Cabin site in Central Newfoundland . Its a really dark site and Im hoping to take some pictures of the night sky. I have a Meade lx200 classic 12 inch. I know its going to be difficult with that much magnification but that is what I have. I also have an older Pentax K-x DSLR. I have tried it a few times with an alt-az mount. Not to good but im planning to build and install a wedge . Just new a this so have a lot to learn. I really enjoy all your video and have learned a lot. Keep them coming. Bernard Dome on the hill Observatory Central Newfoundland

[@TJSpartan008]

Hey Trevor, what do you do with old scopes and mounts that you don't use anymore? I'm still a beginner astronomer but am looking to get a little bit better setup for visual astronomy on a budget. I really like my little 4 inch reflector and equatorial mount but I want something that give a clearer image and isn't so shaky. Is there a "craigslist" for used equipment or something similar?

[@tmrdarkstar85]

Hey Trevor one thing I have had to deal with with my avx is making sure the firmware is up to date. When the scope acts up an usually there is an update to something. On my 8in 203.2mm I have several camera's depending on what focal length I am using. Skyris 236c for planetary f/10"F/30 with 3x barlow", 183mc Pro for F/6.3 an for F/1.9 until my new backlit APS-C chip arrives.

[@abramians1]

Recently purchased the Celestron EdgeHD 9.25''. Looking forward to getting into photographing galaxies. This was a GREAT review! Really appreciate all the great videos and information that you provide.

[@PatThePerson]

The amazing thing is out of all people one of us can see something out there that no one has ever observed. Be it an asteroid, a new Galaxy, a previously undiscovered planet in our system.

[@mtnphot]

You were talking about issues with pixel pitch with that scope and finding a proper sensor. If the dawes limit for this scope is about .4 arcseconds and you are using a 294, it seems like it would be a fairly good fit at .34 arcseconds per pixel.

[@davidjames4915]

SCTs, Mak-Casses and the various derivatives all employ fairly fast primary mirrors (i.e. c. f/2), so the Hyperstar isn't doing anything too special - it's probably only flattening the image and maybe correcting for some other optical aberrations. What gives the long focal lengths in the Cassegrain design is the compressive effect of the convex secondary mirror. I believe that we get f/10 because the secondary is an f/5 (but don't quote me on that).

[@Virindi77]

Superb setup. I just picked up a C9.25 this weekend and wait for delivery of my hyperstar. For small galaxies, I'd use it with hyperstar and with small pixels camera, sampling under 1" / pixel rather than long exposures at F6.3.

[@barryallen5744]

Can't wait for the results.

[@Astroterrat]

Hi friend! I'm Carlos Uriarte. First, sorry for my words, but this is an reflexion. I think that this telescope with an CMOS camera produces a little resolution. Only 0'3" and probably your setup is very crazy! Two principal causes: 1) your sky: Whith 300-800/1000 it's no problem to deepsky photos, but with 2000 your sky is very important: Jetstream and seeing. If you want photography small galaxies or planetary nebulaes is probably that you want a great individual images. But with poor or regular seeing its not possible, with this resolution. And , for example, in my town, only 2 or 4 nights at year with best seeing!. 2) guiding. I recomanded calibrate very well phd, with training and good calibration with mount connection directly. And CGXL IT'S BEAST! I think that it's a great mount, but is important very good guiding below 0,2" rates. In my opinion i prefer an a Vixen VISAC, with focal reducer you have an a f6 with 1280 focal. very well and it's portable solution. added an a feather touch focusers with motor mode. Good luck Trevor!

[@lostindimcarcosa]

Astroterrat universe windows .....x-) as you said, he doesnt know the heavy oversampling yet. The first „soft“ images he will get will destroy all illusions :-)

[@Astroterrat]

@@lostindimcarcosa of course! but, I think that hyperstar solution will be great results, similar to Celestron RASA 11. And Trevor will have 2 setups, without Hyperstar or not.

[@AstroHunter5280]

Do you feel that the off-axis guider is a necessity or would a "50mm mini guidescope package" be sufficient? (I have an 8" Meade SCT)

[@NikonJax]

Excellent video Trevor!

[@FrankP83]

Ohhhh FINALLY!I've got the C8...and is a BEAST! ^_^

[@stevensiwinski]

Love the HD 11 rave

[@MrSharkb828]

I saw the thumbnail and instantly got so excited! Can't wait for some more images and videos. Thanks, Trevor!

[@ryanwebster5205]

Does adding the weight of a hyper star and camera strain the corrector plate enough to cause any distortions in your images? I'd imagine the optics would be pretty sensitive to that kind of stuff.

[@thatonerandomguy2303]

Re: backwards hat - if you feel like you're too old to wear one, you are. You don't need us to point this out, you've already made this determination, you just need to act on it. Also looking forward to see that scope in use. Cheers.

[@aperturedriven88]

🤣🤣🤣 "what are you doing down here?!" "What??" Looking forward to seeing this setup in action Trevor! I'm wanting in the next year to pick up the same mount, the Edge HD 14" and Hyperstar. Makes sense financially given that this setup + the ASI6200 is only $1000 more the RASA 36cm OTA by itself.

[@richardgracews6]

Sweet! I just picked up a clean C8 cheap to give my Arsenal of optics more reach. I can't wait to see the whirlpool up close.

[@moose64]

I have the Edge HD 8". Been stored ever since I bought it. Hopefully you can get me excited to get mine out and use it.

[@capturethephotons2078]

I love your passion for the night sky. I know the feeling when you wake up live your day and go to sleep with your mind and heart set in the heavens. I will be purchasing my first set up by Spring of this year and hopefully I am out learning the ins-and-outs of astrophotography. I've learned so much from your Channel and others like you in this community. Clear Skies 🌌

[@TheWonkyAstronomer]

I have the same scope (with Hyperstar) on a fork mount. Very happy with it indeed.

[@daleneace8609]

hey Trevor im so new its hurts my grandmother but do the edge hd series have to have coma correction i know there are AFC scopes and the dont require comma correction but dont know about these edge hd models as if i could ever get but was wanting to know! thanks!....Dale

[@belken117]

I have an affinity for telescopes and all that just takes the biggest cake I ever imagine! Looking forward to see the results! Those galaxies are gonna look good!

[@astroEnthusiast1]

Keep up the great work Trevor!!

[@DrivingMoccasins87]

You have by far become my favorite channel to keep up with. I’m slowly learning astrophotography with your help. Thanks Trevor. By the way, you’re never too old to wear a backwards hat my man.

[@calcontrino9357]

Avendo un budget che mi permette soltanto l'acquisto di un cgx hedge 9.25 con hyperstar pensi che potrei ottenere risultati accettabili per fotografare galassie. Grazie se mi vorrai rispondere.

[@sking3571]

Hey Trevor your going to have a lot of fun and new horizons with this rig. I have the same scope, mount and Celestron 0.7 reducer. I have yet to get the Hyperstar (Maybe in future).As far as cameras I have used the ZWO ASI 294, 071 and 1600mm. Binning 2X2 has given some excellent results. Looking forward to your work with this. I also have setup different complete rigs and it does make it easier. Frustrating this winter as I have not had more than 45 minutes of clear sky since October 28th..

[@JoeLLacelle]

So if i wanted to view the moon ,for instance with the c11 or even the c14, can i view the moon as a hole or would i need reducers or something to view the moon in its entirety. Are these scopes just to big ta do that? Ive seen some awsome clear sharp shots of the moon with a c14 but only a portion of it at a time, never the hole thing in 1 image...

[@matthewhart4952]

The Celestron Disco was a nice touch 🤣 Great content as always!

[@kevinware3268]

Trev, get the Moonlite focuser for this scope for imaging. You won't regret it. Backfocusing is a snap and you can still lock in the mirror and use a motor focuser.

[@superhavi]

0:53 I'm nearly 43 and I sometimes wear a backwards basecap simply because it's practical. So, no! You're ceartainly not to old for that.

[@fredrikhedman2145]

Big NO! You are not too old, no one are 😊 whare whatever you want. Nice setup! 💪I'll hope you capture some beautiful galaxys! Ceep up the good work!

[@FreedomToRoam86]

Backward hat makes sense when using frontwards camera - especially for those of us with less and less insulation on top....

[@michal_king478]

boy thats a BEAST

[@ghenghiskhan39]

Dude, you seriously have some awesome gear.👍👍👍

[@dwha81]

Beautiful! Someday I hope to try reflectors.

[@ruff_house]

Never too old for a backwards cap, rock it, don't knock it!!

[@wanderingquestions7501]

At 2800mm one has to re-assess the guide scope system. My 2032mm 8” SCT guides well w a 250 mm guide scope & Zwo 120mm-S

[@saulontheroad9605]

Thanks for sharing. I would really like to see if you are able of properly control your mount with an Asiair. I’m having a hard time setting up an AVX with Amy Asiair plus and apparently the are issues with all the celestron mounts and Asiair computers.

[@RnCforPS3]

Almost 100k. Damn you really are making this hobby more mainstream.

[@DavidParker-jr5bd]

Question: The corrector plate on an SCT is normally kept fairly thin compared to say a refractor objective lens. Have you or anyone else noticed any image distortion due to corrector plate flexure using the Hyperstar+camera?

[@AP-tb1tv]

Curious, do you buy all your equipment at typical retail prices?

[@astronomybob]

So many toys .... Great video Trevor !

[@MDRShab]

I actually have a very similar setup, save I have an ASI183MC pro. Any suggestion for a good guide scope / guide camera pairing for the EdgeHD when imaging with the Hyperstar?

[@stephanegrosjean4990]

And, how do you safely store the secondary mirror while using the hyperstar?

[@HalkerVeil]

I'm way older than you and wear my hat backwards. But I'm probably one of the first to do it in the 80's when it was a catchers cap style. (So we could see the ball clearly.) Before baseball caps, berets were worn backwards. But that was a whole other reason related to Irish gangs.

[@seanmolony-redstickastro238]

I'm thinking this year of taking my RC8 and pulling the reducer off of it and shooting galaxies that way. What do you think? I had a C11 with Hyperstar a few years ago but sold it to get my QSI 690 & 683. I was thinking of grabbing a RASA 11 but I no longer have the filters for that. Your thoughts on the RC8

[@karcoms]

Hey Trevor, thanks for the videos and the knowledge. I had a question: I have a Celestron CPC 1100 XLT SCT. It is a monster much like the Edge HD you have demoed here. I was planning on deforking it from the dual arms and putting a vixen style orange dove plate and I was wondering the mount to use. The OTA I'm guessing weights about 28lbs and would the EQ6-R Pro work for this OTA assembly? Or the CGX/CGX-L is the way to go? Thanks for your time. K

[@TheAngryAstronomer]

Glad to see you're having fun experimenting with different filming styles.

[@davidemancini7853]

What about a ritchey chretien OTA? wouldn't be better?

[@Xiaotian_Guan]

Yeah, I was thinking about the same thing. Orion's RC scope (manufactured by GuanShen Optics in Taiwan) is actually cheaper than Celestron's edge HD line up. It's also faster and has a larger image circle(far larger for the RC10). (I personally own a RC8, not for imaging though.)

[@davidemancini7853]

@管笑天 Yep.i personally think that RC are build specifically has galaxy hunter

[@TheUrbanAstronomer]

Awesome, look forward to this. Enjoyable video 👌

[@Talalpro_1]

Omg yes thank you for uploading I’ve been waiting for a new amazing video.

[@kostasrogue]

Oh men this is crazy! Have fun!

[@GaryMCurran]

Make sure you get a dew heater and a dew shield for that! Even with the HyperStar installed. I'm curious, though. While the 11" Edge HD is versatile with the HyperStar, did you consider something like a 7" Mak-Cass? Smaller, lighter, albeit the f-ratio is a lot higher at f/15. It also should be a good galaxy hunter and do very well for planets. I'm looking forward to seeing what this can do later on in the season.